O Cadavo to somewhere near Gondar

We overslept today - didn’t wake until 7 which is very late for the Primitivo.
Were able to set off by about 7.45. It is much, much warmer today but fortunately the route is much less difficult - still up nd down but not so steep. Also, more shade, which I appreciated, tho the patches where the sun could get through felt like there was a fan heater blowing. Hard to describe - sorry!
Spent some of the first part of the walk with Ellie from Bristol who is just doing a small part of the Primitivo- from Borres to Lugo- to see whether the camino is for her. She thinks it is!
After following the complimentivo route through pine forests towards Castroverde we arrived at Vilabade where there was a wonderful church, a national monument known as the Cathedral of Castroverde. A young woman was half way up some scaffolding doing restoration work.
In Castroverde we met up with Garth, Darla, Chris and Sarah. No food but good coffee. Chris, who volunteers at a wildlife project was talking about checking for ticks - I had a quick look at my legs and immediately found one - one of my worst nightmares! Managed to extract it with a bit of help and guidance - now hoping that I won’t get lymes disease!! Chris assures me I won’t - and hoping that as a man of God he will be right.
After buying some bread, cheese and fruit we wandered on - wandering being possible when you think you’ve only got 17k total to walk.
I decided to take a second complimentivo - a delightful route through the forest and passing by an ancient church and a very ancient tree. Again lots of shade thank goodness given temperatures of over 30 by then. Lots of walking on my own again but I enjoy that a lot - it’s good having some time to think.
So my 17k day turned into 21.5k with the diversions and extra bit to the Albergue which is off the path — another trail through the woods with no dots to follow on my map, but I have arrived.
The Albergue is a beautiful old house and apparently has a yoga room which I’ve yet to discover and in which I’m hoping to do a bit of practice for my exam. There is also a resident orphaned ducking which is the cutest creature ever - he seems to think he’s a human and is enjoying our company. I’m promised a vegetarian meal tonight which is fab.
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